Indian Navy's second P-8I aircraft undertakes maiden flight in US

NEW DELHI: The second P-8I anti-submarine warfare and maritime surveillance aircraft of the Indian Navy being procured from the US undertook its maiden flight in Seattle.

"The second P-8I aircraft for the Indian Navy completed its initial flight on July 12, taking off from Renton Field at and landing two hours and 14 minutes later in Seattle," Boeing said in a statement.

India has placed orders for eight P-8Is with the US company Boeing and is expecting to induct the first aircraft next year.

"The program is on plan and the Indian Navy is excited for the P-8I to join its fleet," P-8I program manager for Boeing Leland Wight said.

During the flight, Boeing test pilots performed airborne systems checks and took the P-8I to a maximum altitude of 41,000 feet prior to landing, the statement said.

Boeing said the mission systems installation and checkout work on the aircraft will commence in the coming weeks.